In the early mornings I walk outside to check on the garden. This is my absolutely favorite time of the day. I would like to say it is quiet but the birds are loud and talkative, and if there is wind I can hear the wind chimes singing. It is peaceful. I make my rounds around the garden seeing how all of my babies (or plants as non-garden addicts call them) are doing. I spot check leaves for bug damage to see who is around and then look at leaf quality for potential disease process or nutrient deficiencies in the soil. It is much better to catch these problems and deal with them early before the plants are ruined. I have noticed this Spring that often there are symmetrical dew drops around the edges of some of the leaves. Big, fat drops of liquid only around the border of the leaves.

It turns out that this process is called Guttation. Many plants pull water out of the soil in a process called Transpiration. The plant absorbs water through the roots and then gives off water vapor through pores in their leaves. Plants have Stomata which are very small openings in the membranes of the leaves. When the pressure of the fluid is built up in the leaves, often from imbalances in humidity and ambient temperature, xylem sap is released in a symmetrical pattern. It appears as early morning dew but it is not. Isn’t that interesting?